three months together. progress.

Here we are again with another month down. Really? Yesterday marked three months since we stepped into the delivery room of the Adoption Registry Center of Guangdong Province.

Three months since we shared an incredible moment with 4 other precious families.

I am still processing so much of what happened. What went down that day. How our lives have changed.

Looking back, I've decided that in month one, I was in full shock and survival mode. Not because Lucy was very difficult or struggled with behavior/attachment issues. It was the quite the opposite. She has been an anomaly, as best we can tell. I still can't quite explain all the emotions and feelings that were going on in my heart at that time. Definitely ones of pure joy, relief, amazement. But also ones that I imagine go hand-in-hand with first-time motherhood. A different kind of tired. Raw emotions. Up one minute. Down the next. Physical exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion.

In month two, the fog was starting to lift. A little. I began, well, putting on make-up, trying to go outside for a walk, wearing something other than the striped Columbia shirt that felt so easy and comfortable and familiar. I can never look at that shirt again without thinking of China and our first month together!

Month three has felt like a whirlwind of change and progress. Some moments feel just like China did, but most remind me of how far we've come. For example, we can get her in the car seat without tears or promises of suckers, she's sleeping in her toddler bed for naps and sometimes at night (although she usually ends up with us around 2:00 am), she's way less clingy to mama, and just is all-around doing great. I watch her strut around the house like she owns the place (she kinda does), and am amazed at how it seems as though she's always been here. She treats things as if she's always been here.

There's so much I could go on and on about with this girl. It's not always easy, but I didn't expect it to be and certainly, no one said it would be. But she's a joy. A true gem and I can't believe we get to parent her. What a special gift we have been given.

Happy 3 months together, Goosie!